Compare towns

Addison vs Ripton vs Wardsboro

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Addison has the oldest population (median age 53.1).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Wardsboro has the most affordable homes ($299k median).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasureAddisonRiptonWardsboro
People
Population
1,175Highest
508Lowest
820
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.4%
VT: +2.8%
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
53.1±7.6Highest
23% above VT
47.7±14.2Lowest
11% above VT
51.6±7.3
20% above VT
Addison and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.6%±5.1
VT: 17.9%
11.8%±6.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±6.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Wardsboro and Addison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
27.1%±1.9Lowest
VT: 21.4%
30.5%±7.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
27.4%±3.1
VT: 21.4%
Ripton and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
40.2%
VT: 43.8%
48%Highest
VT: 43.8%
38.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.4%±2.3
VT: 7%
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
0.9%±0.9Lowest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$106,667±$7k
31% above VT
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
$62,000±$6kLowest
24% below VT
Ripton and Addison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$362,200±$23k
14% above VT
$394,400±$61kHighest
25% above VT
$299,300±$47kLowest
5% below VT
Ripton and Addison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$2,019±$461Highest
64% above VT
—
$1,479±$224Lowest
20% above VT
Addison and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,831Highest
16% above VT
$4,915
about the VT average
$4,345Lowest
14% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.9%±62.8Lowest
VT: 48.4%
52.9%±100
VT: 48.4%
54.5%±58Highest
VT: 48.4%
Wardsboro and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.5%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
7.7%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.2%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
90.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
90.4%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
1973Lowest
3 yrs older than VT
1978
2 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minHighest
18% above VT
24 minLowest
about the VT average
27 min
14% above VT
Work from home
12.3%±5.4Lowest
VT: 16.9%
17.2%±8.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
13.3%±5.1
VT: 16.9%
Ripton and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 River Valleys Unified School District #73
High school in town — None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

VT average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.